Alexander woke the next morning with a gut-wrenching feeling. The slightest glow of red was coming from his window; the sun was about to rise. Alexander twisted rapidly to look at the alarm clock’s face. An accusatory 5:47 a.m. showed on the face in furious red. That number caused his world to collapse into ruin. He was going to be late. Sliding into his car and cursing his own incompetence, he realized he would have to buy lunch today as well.

  His mind raced on the way to work, completely confused by his behavior today. What could have come over him? He hadn’t been ill last night; he simply recalled having a pleasant evening with the neighbors. He had “relaxed” a bit as he had been encouraged, and now he was a full-blown reprobate?

  Alexander continued to chastise himself all the way to the Congo parking lot. Turning into the first row, he whipped into the first open parking spot. Jumping out of his car, he dashed inside without his usual morning coffee and clocked in fourteen minutes late. Walking briskly to his cubicle, he prayed he hadn’t ruined months of carefully cultivated rapport with Susan. Relief washed over him when he reached his desk and found no one waiting to scold him—Susan wasn’t there, and not a single coworker even glanced up.

  He dropped into his chair, booted up the computer, and forced himself through a breathing exercise until his pulse slowed. Routine would save him. He logged into his email, the familiar rhythm of the keystrokes calming him further—until the newest message slammed into view.

  The subject of the email spelled out his doom.

  See me in my office ASAP – Susan

  It was even marked as urgent. Alexander’s composure shattered.

  “I EVEN FORGOT TO FEED MY FISH!” he shouted, standing so fast his chair rolled back and crashed into the partition.

  “Alexander?” A gentle voice called behind him.

  He spun around to see who had called him. Bru-haha stood there, hair neatly combed back, a tie knotted around his button-up shirt. Even a slight scent of cologne tinged the air from the orc.

  The sight threw Alexander for a moment, but he resolved himself that his efforts were not wasted. At least one good thing would remain after he was inevitably fired—Bru-haha and the orcs would be his legacy. He could even check in on the office from time to time through Bru-haha’s eyes to make sure everything was operating smoothly.

  Alexander walked up and put his hand on Bru-haha’s shoulder with an approving nod.

  “Is everything alright, sir? Would you like me to get you a coffee? I noticed you were rushing in because you were late today,” Bru asked, glancing concerned at the hand on his shoulder.

  Frustration flared hot again in Alexander’s chest. He raised one finger for silence and began doubling a random number in his head, starting with 3.77. By the time he reached 965.12 he could speak without snarling.

  “Yes, Crew Member Bru-haha. That’s very considerate. I’ll likely be in a meeting with Susan for a while, so bring it afterward, please.”

  “Of course. I shall do just that,” Bru-haha nodded, offering a small smile that could be described as charming now.

  Alexander straightened his tie, which had been hastily thrown on this morning. It also gave his hands something to do as he nervously marched to Susan’s office. His feet unconsciously moved to the same BPM as the Funeral March. He rapped on the cheap hollow door and heard a faint echo inside.

  “Come in,” came the muffled reply.

  Alexander pushed the door open. Susan looked up—and smiled. A cold, predatory smile, he was sure. She had been waiting for him to fail so she could eliminate him as competition.

  “Alexander, come on in.” She waved him toward a chair.

  He sat rigidly, words tumbling out before he could stop them. “I’m terribly sorry for my tardiness. I had a bad night and wasn’t thinking straight and forgot to—”

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal. Actually, I have great news.”

  “No big deal? News?”

  “The company rushed approval on my request to promote you.”

  “Promotion?” His heart leapt against his ribs. Finally!

  “Yes. A brand-new position created specifically for you, one that will capitalize on all your unique gifts—your organizational skills, the negotiation and recruitment you showed with the orcs, and your… unique ability to overcome unforeseen challenges.”

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  Alexander blinked. His joy turning to confusion. That didn’t sound like a Human Resources Manager’s position.

  “This wouldn’t be the Human Resources Manager, would it?” he asked cautiously.

  Susan beamed. “Congratulations, Alexander. Upon acceptance you will become Congo’s first-ever Multi-Dimensional Brand Ambassador.”

  “Multi-Dimensional?”

  “And there’s even a sizable raise! Due to hazard pay.” She whispered at the end. “Congratulations!”

  “I… see,” Alexander said with mixed emotions.

  Susan had a decent grasp on the type of person Alexander was and could see some of his disappointment.

  “Alexander, look at the job description and tell me you aren’t better suited to it than most. Rather than dealing with people all day, you will be directly expanding our market. You will bring order to chaos in this crazy new world!” Susan said, gesturing to a small stack of papers about the new position and responsibilities.

  Alexander nodded. “Many peace deals historically were due to the desire to find new trade.”

  “Precisely… we already have a destination for you! Congo has tentatively contracted you as consultant to a federal expedition with the understanding that you have the right to assess the denizens and identify potential new clients.”

  Brian, Alexander thought coldly.

  “We will not force you to go, but this would be an ideal opportunity to test the waters,” Susan said, without adding the obvious disappointment in Alexander if he refused.

  “I will look it over…” he sighed, before adding, “…and you can assume I will be willing to go if I feel the position is suited to me.”

  “Excellent! The expedition leaves in one day. That gives you time to coordinate and shift your responsibilities to Bru-haha, and take a day to pack. Take the packet then—I worked overtime putting it together for you. Be sure to sign here for updated death benefits and here for your pay increase,” she said, showing the locations that needed signatures.

  He looked at the packet, which to Alexander represented another assault on his routine. How many more before he simply crumbled?

  Susan clipped a business card to the packet, shook his hand with alarming enthusiasm, and practically shoved him out the door. Alexander stumbled out in a daze as his emotions caught up to the whirlwind of his morning. He walked back to his desk remotely as he stared at the first page of the packet. Decorating it was a stock photo of a businessman walking through a portal with a shot of a major city on the other side. In giant New Times Roman font was the new title “Multi-Dimensional Brand Ambassador.”

  Bru-haha cleared his throat when Alexander approached his cubicle. He held a cup of lukewarm coffee. Alexander shook himself awake from the nightmare. He would find order again. He had to.

  He looked at the coffee and spoke to the orc solemnly. “When chaos comes, we must impose order. Routines must bend so they do not break. Your people’s arrival was one change; my short absence will be another.”

  “Very wise, sir. Are you going on a trip?” Bru-haha asked, handing over the cup. Alexander noticed the orc’s nails were now spotless compared to the others.

  “Grab some paper. We have delegating to do.” He glanced at the cooling coffee. “Prestidigitation.”

  Alexander felt the heat of the coffee warm his palm, giving him a small measure of comfort to cling to.

  Alexander lowered his voice. “Also… could you feed my fish while I’m gone?”

  -Brian the Chauffeur-

  At the airport, the midday lull made parking easy. Brian tasked Judah with making a sign for “Benallie.” After rummaging through the glove box, they found a dried-up Sharpie and resorted to a ballpoint pen, going over the name several times to make it legible. Judah poked two holes in the thin paper in the process.

  At the baggage claim, they waited by the gate. After about fifteen minutes, people began streaming through in a bustle just to wait impatiently for the carousel to spit out their checked luggage. Brian’s eye was drawn to a woman pressing her face against the glass, scanning the crowd. When she noticed him looking, she jumped back. Moments later, the doors swung open seemingly by themselves. A woman with tan skin, dressed in a stylish red dress, hovered six inches off the ground. Four glowing orbs circled her. Her brunette hair, streaked with metallic red highlights, stirred by an invisible breeze. The light of the orbs caused the highlights to glow and shimmer.

  The crowd gasped and backed away, some pointing and whispering about the girl they’d seen on TV fighting a monster. She seemed to bask in the attention, glowing more from it than her magical display. It might have been more impressive if Brian hadn’t just seen her peering through the window to make sure her audience was present.

  She launched into a theatrical monologue. “Fair people of Mekland, do not be alarmed! I am but a humble servant here to dispatch any and all monsters that threaten your fair city!”

  Brian raised an eyebrow. Is this girl serious?

  “She’s incredible,” Judah said, starstruck. “And she’s going to be on our team?”

  “Yeah,” Brian muttered, annoyed. “She seems capable from the assessment. She badly wants us to know it too.”

  He approached her casually. “Are you Cassidy Benallie?”

  “Why, yes, good citizen, I am at your service,” she replied, fully aware they were there to pick her up, as evidenced by the sign.

  “Ma’am, I’m Federal Agent Brian Ortez.” He extended his hand, hoping she lacked Alexander’s keen insight. She shook it reflexively and Brian felt a faint energy pulse from his ring.

  “In this situation you are the good citizen,” Brian said. “I’m going to have to ask you to stop causing a scene.”

  “My apologies, Agent Ortez,” she said with a smile. “I assumed you were the limo driver, given your suit.” The orbs dissipated, and she gently descended to the ground.

  “I’m the Prius driver today and in charge of your contracted covert expedition,” Brian said. “So, if you can collect your luggage without levitating it, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I have all my luggage right here,” she said, lifting a stylish leather drawstring bag. Reaching inside it, she pulled out a hairdryer that ordinarily would never fit.

  “Bag of holding…” Judah said, starstruck.

  She smiled at Judah, content with at least one sycophant among her chauffeurs. As they walked to the car, Brian received a text.

  “YES!” Brian shouted, surprising Judah and Cassidy. “We got him.” Brian smirked at Judah.

  “Who? The paper mage?” Judah asked excitedly.

  “Yes, Alexander is on board.”

  “Paper Mage?” Cassidy asked with mild annoyance.

  “Just a nickname for a local talent,” Judah assured her.

  “Don’t go throwing the word ‘talent’ around prematurely,” she responded, flipping her hair.

  Brian simply groaned inwardly and braced himself for what was most likely the most high-maintenance expedition team in history.